Drinks packaging

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a drinking vessel for a drinks packaging product wherein the drinking vessel comprises at least two parts. The two parts include a main vessel part and a part adapted to seal a bottle or similar container. The part adapted to seal the bottle includes a threaded portion and a seal. The threaded portion can comprise part of a base, or it can be a threaded sleeve or cap configured to engage with the base. The drinking vessel is sized and shaped to fit at least partially over the bottle and to provide a vessel from which the contents of the bottle can be consumed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a drinking vessel that is also adapted tofunction as a closure for a drinks container, and to a drinks packagingproduct incorporating the drinking vessel.

BACKGROUND

The applicant of the present invention is also the applicant of the NewZealand patent application numbers 527195 and 538172, and has beeninvolved in the development of packaging systems for single serve drinksfor a number of years. The present invention relates to developmentsover the systems described in the above patent applications whichaddress on going problems that have been experienced during the researchand development process.

The problem has been to devise a tamper evident seal for use with adrink packaging product which includes both a bottle and a drinkingvessel. Early attempts to solve this problem have involved the use of apaper or plastic wrap fitted over the join between the mouth of thedrinking vessel and the body of the bottle.

However this type of seal has a number of problems. It involves the useof an additional item of material, and this additional item must befitted by adding another step to the production line used to fill andseal the drink packages. This additional material and production stepadds to the cost of producing each packaged drink.

Also, a tamper evident seal which is removed from the packaged drinkwhen the package is opened is a problem. The person opening the drinkhas one hand to hold the bottle and one to hold the drinking vessel, andanother item can be a nuisance and is likely to become a litter hazard.This problem can be significant in an airline situation where seatedpassengers are provided with drinks, and where a tear off seal is yetanother object to handle and one that will often end up on the floor orunder seat cushions etc.

In New Zealand patent application number 538172 a tamper evident sealwas developed which was situated within the drinking vessel and whichengaged with the neck of the bottle. However, it was found to bedifficult to obtain a water tight seal at the join of the two partdrinking vessel of that earlier design. At present it is also consideredthat the design could be improved upon to simplify manufacture or reducemanufacturing costs.

OBJECT

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a drinkingvessel or a drinks packaging product which will at least go some waytowards overcoming the above mentioned problems, or at least provide thepublic with a useful choice.

STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention may broadly be said toconsist in a drinking vessel for a drinks packaging product, thedrinking vessel having at least two parts, a base part and a main vesselpart, one or other of the base part or the main vessel part, or both,incorporating a sealing ring adapted to seal the joint between the basepart and the main vessel part.

Preferably the sealing ring is formed as part of the base part or themain vessel part, but from a material having different physicalcharacteristics, for example greater elasticity.

Preferably the sealing ring is formed as part of the base part or themain vessel part by an overmolding process.

Preferably the sealing ring is formed by overmolding a thermoplasticelastomer (TPE) material onto the base part or the main vessel part.

While the base part and the main vessel part can be joined using glue orwelding, preferably the base part and the main vessel part are joined bya mechanical, or interlocking, joint.

Preferably the mechanical, or interlocking, joint includes one or morelugs on either the base part or the main vessel part and a cooperatingrecess or recesses on the other of the two parts.

Preferably the base part further includes a frangibly linked tamperevident seal.

Accordingly, in a second aspect, the invention may broadly be said toconsist in a drinking vessel for a drinks packaging product, wherein thedrinking vessel is formed from at least three parts, a base part, a mainvessel part and a threaded cap part.

Preferably each of the three parts, the base part, the main vessel partand the threaded cap part are made from a material selected to suit thefunction of that part, for example a rigid clear plastics material, e.g.a styrene plastics material, for the main vessel part to give a glasslike appearance and feel, and a softer and more elastic plasticsmaterial, e.g. polypropylene or polyethylene, for the cap part tofacilitate the incorporation of a tamper evident seal in the capportion.

Preferably a mechanical joint is provided between the cap part and thebase part and/or the main vessel part.

Preferably the mechanical joint is configured to substantially preventthe cap part from exiting the interior of the drinking vessel onceassembled.

Preferably the mechanical joint is configured to substantially preventrelative rotation between the cap part and the base part and/or the mainvessel part.

Preferably the mechanical joint includes protrusions in the base partand/or the main vessel part which are adapted to mate with correspondingrecesses in the cap part.

Preferably the base part is connected to the main vessel part by weldingor by the use of a glue.

Preferably the mating surfaces of the base part and/or the main vesselpart, where they can be connected, are shaped to facilitate a weld.

Optionally the base part is connected to the main vessel part by amechanical joint.

Accordingly, in a third aspect, the invention may broadly be said toconsist in a drinking vessel for a drinks packaging product having amain body and a sealing cap, wherein the sealing cap is adapted to matewith the inside of the main body in such a manner that when mated thesealing cap is substantially prevented from rotating relative to themain body and is substantially prevented from exiting the main body.

Preferably the main body is adapted to receive the sealing cap within,or adjacent to, a base portion of the main body.

Preferably the sealing cap further includes a tamper evident seal.

Preferably the main body of the drinking vessel is made of a clearmaterial.

Preferably the drinking vessel is adapted to fit at least partiallyover, and to provide a closure for, a bottle.

Preferably the drinking vessel is sized such that at least half of thecontents of the drinks packaging product or bottle can be accommodatedin the drinking vessel.

Preferably the base portion of the drinking vessel is provided with asuitably configured and sized footprint upon which the drinking vesselcan stand upright in a stable manner.

Preferably the diameter or width of the footprint upon which thedrinking vessel can stand is similar to the diameter or width of themain body of the drinking vessel.

Preferably the drinking vessel is a stemmed drinking vessel.

Optionally the drinking vessel is a flat bottomed tumbler style drinkingvessel having a short tubular shaped protruding portion connected to theinterior of the base of the drinking vessel which is adapted to receivethe sealing cap.

Accordingly, in a fourth aspect, the invention may broadly be said toconsist in a one piece drinking vessel for a drinks packaging productcomprising a main drinking vessel body part and a threaded cap partwhich is situated in the interior of the main body part, wherein thethreaded cap part includes a frangibly linked tamper evident seal.

Preferably the drinking vessel is a flat bottomed tumbler style ofdrinking vessel.

Optionally the drinking vessel is stemmed drinking vessel.

Preferably the cap part further includes a frangibly linked tamperevident seal.

Preferably at least the main body of the drinking vessel is made of aclear material.

Preferably the drinking vessel is adapted to fit at least partiallyover, and to provide a closure for, a drinks packaging product or abottle.

Preferably the drinking vessel is sized such that at least half of thecontents of the drinks packaging product or bottle can be accommodatedin the drinking vessel.

Accordingly, in a fifth aspect, the invention may broadly be said toconsist in a drinking vessel for a drinks packaging product comprising amain body and a threaded sleeve, wherein the threaded sleeve is adaptedto mate with the main body in such a manner that when mated the threadedsleeve is substantially prevented from rotating relative to the mainbody and is substantially prevented from exiting the main body.

Preferably the drinking vessel further includes a sealing member whichis adapted to aid in sealing the opening of a drinks container to whichthe drinking vessel can be fitted.

Preferably the threaded sleeve further includes a frangibly linkedtamper evident seal.

Preferably the main body is adapted to receive the threaded sleevewithin, or adjacent to, a base portion of the main body.

Preferably the main body of the drinking vessel is made of a clearmaterial.

Preferably the threaded sleeve is made of an at least partially flexiblematerial.

Preferably the drinking vessel is adapted to fit at least partiallyover, and to provide a closure for, a bottle.

Preferably the drinking vessel is sized such that at least half of thecontents of the drinks packaging product or bottle can be accommodatedin the drinking vessel.

Preferably the base portion of the drinking vessel is provided with asuitably configured and sized footprint upon which the drinking vesselcan stand upright in a stable manner.

Preferably the diameter or width of the footprint upon which thedrinking vessel can stand is similar to the diameter or width of themain body of the drinking vessel.

Preferably the drinking vessel is a stemmed drinking vessel.

Optionally the drinking vessel is a flat bottomed tumbler style drinkingvessel having a short tubular shaped protruding portion connected to theinterior of the base of the drinking vessel which is adapted to receivethe threaded sleeve.

In a sixth aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in adrinks packaging product incorporating at least one drinking vesselsubstantially as specified herein and a drinks container.

Preferably the drinks container is a made of a plastics material.

Preferably the drinks container is substantially bottle shaped andincludes shoulder where the diameter of the bottle reduces part way upthe main body of the bottle shape.

Preferably the drinking vessel is sized such that at least half of thecontents of the bottle can be accommodated in the drinking vessel.

In a seventh aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in amethod of packaging a drink into a drinks packaging product whichincludes a drink container and a drinking vessel, the method includingthe steps of;

-   -   filling the drink container,    -   capping the drink container with a cap that is adapted to        externally engage with a drinking vessel, and    -   fitting a drinking vessel that is adapted to engage with the        cap, onto the cap.

The invention may also broadly be said to consist in the parts, elementsand features referred to or indicated in the specification of theapplication, individually or collectively, and any or all combinationsof any two or more of the parts, elements or features, and wherespecific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents,such equivalents are incorporated herein as if they were individuallyset forth.

DESCRIPTION

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description which is given by way of example only and withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded cross sectional view of a first example of adrinking vessel of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is an exploded cross sectional view of a second example of adrinking vessel of the present invention,

FIG. 3 is an exploded cross sectional view of a third example of adrinking vessel of the present invention,

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a fourth example of a drinkingvessel of the present invention,

FIG. 5 is an exploded cross sectional view of a fifth example of adrinking vessel of the present invention,

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a drinking vessel of thepresent invention and a drink container, and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the drinking vessel and the drinkcontainer in an assembled state.

EXAMPLE ONE

With reference to FIG. 1, a first example of a drinking vessel (10) fora drinks packaging product is shown having at least two parts, a basepart (11) and a main vessel part (13). The drinking vessel (10) ischaracterised in that one or other of the base part (11) or the mainvessel part (13), or both, incorporate a sealing ring (15). In thisexample, there is a single sealing ring (15) which is on the base part(11). The sealing ring (15) is adapted to seal the join between the basepart (11) and the main vessel part (13) when the two parts areassembled.

Formed as an integral part of the base part (11) is a threaded bottlecap (17) which also includes a frangibly linked tamper evident ring(19). When assembled, the drinking vessel (10) forms a drinking vesselthat can also be used as a closure of a drinks container, for example adrink bottle. The drinking vessel (10) can be screwed onto a bottle toclose the bottle, and when removed from the bottle can be used as adrinking vessel.

In this example, the lower part (25) of the main vessel part (13) of thedrinking vessel (10) is tapered to form a stem feature immediately abovethe base. The diameter of the stem feature is determined primarily bythe outside diameter of the cap (17).

The sealing ring (15) can be formed as part of the base part (11) or themain vessel part (13), but from a material having different physicalcharacteristics, for example from a material having a greaterelasticity. The sealing ring (15) can be formed by an overmoldingprocess, for example by overmolding the sealing ring (15) onto thesurface of the base part (11) or into a groove about the circumferenceof the base part (11).

A suitable material for the sealing ring (15) is a thermoplasticelastomer (TPE) material.

The base part (11) and the main vessel part (13) can be joined usingglue or welding, for example, ultrasonic welding. However in thisexample the base part (11) and the main vessel part (13) are joined by amechanical, or interlocking, joint. Lugs (21) on the interior of themain vessel part (13) are configured to mate and lock into correspondingrecesses (23) provided on the exterior of the base part (11). The use ofa mechanical joint eliminates the need for an additional welding stepduring manufacture.

EXAMPLE TWO

With reference to FIG. 2, a second example of a drinking vessel (30) fora drinks packaging product is shown. In this example the drinking vessel(30) is formed from at least three parts, a base part (31), a mainvessel part (33) and a threaded cap part (35).

Each of the three parts, the base part (31), the main vessel part (33)and the threaded cap part (35) can be made from a material selected tosuit the function of that part. For example a suitable material for themain vessel part (33) is a rigid clear plastics material, for example astyrene plastics material, which provides a somewhat glass likeappearance and feel. A softer and more elastic plastics material, e.g.polypropylene or polyethylene, can be used for the cap part (35) tofacilitate the incorporation of a tamper evident seal (36) in the cappart (35). The tamper evident seal (36) must stretch over a mating ringabout the neck of a bottle and shrink back toward their original size sothat the seal will stay with the bottle when the cap part (35) isremoved.

Preferably a mechanical joint is provided between the cap part (35) andthe base part (31) and/or the main vessel part (33). In this example, aridge (37) extends about the circumference of the cap part (35) and thisridge can be captured between an internal shoulder (39) on the mainvessel part (33) and a rim (41) on the base part (31) when the two parts(31) and (33) are assembled together. In this way, the ridge (37)substantially prevents the cap part (35) from exiting the interior ofthe drinking vessel (30).

Preferably the mechanical joint between the cap part (35) and the basepart (31) and/or the main vessel part (33) is configured tosubstantially prevent relative rotation between the cap part (35) andthe base part (31) and/or the main vessel part (33). In this example,the cap part (35) is provided with a series or recesses (43) about theperiphery of its lower surface (45) which are configured to mate with aseries of protrusions (47) situated on the base part (31). When thedrinking vessel (30) is assembled the protrusions (47) engage with therecesses (43) to substantially prevent relative rotation between the cappart (35) and the base part (31).

The base part (31) can be connected to the main vessel part (33) usingglue,or by welding, for example using ultrasonic welding. The matingsurfaces of the base part (31) and/or the main vessel part (33), wherethey can be connected, can be shaped to facilitate a weld, for exampleby making the lower surface (49) of the lower lip of the main vesselpart (33) “V” shaped as shown.

This design allows the main vessel part (33) and the base part (31) tobe manufactured from the same material, for example from a styreneplastics material, since neither part includes the tamper evident seal(36). And since both the main vessel part (33) and the base part (31)can be manufactured from the same material, they can be welded together.

Optionally the base part (31) can be connected to the main vessel part(33) by a suitable mechanical joint.

As with the previous example, in this example also, the lower part (51)of the main vessel part (33) of the drinking vessel (30) is tapered toform a stem feature immediately above the base. The diameter of the stemfeature is determined primarily by the outside diameter of the cap (35).

EXAMPLE THREE

With reference to FIG. 3, a third example of a drinking vessel (60) fora drinks packaging product is shown. In this example the drinking vessel(60) includes a main body (61) and a sealing cap (63). The sealing cap(63) is adapted to mate with the inside of the main body (61) in such amanner that when mated the sealing cap (63) is substantially preventedfrom rotating relative to the main body (61) and is substantiallyprevented from exiting the main body (61).

The sealing cap (63) includes an internal thread (65) and is configuredto be a suitable closure device for a bottle having a mating threadabout its opening. The sealing cap (63) can be provided with a tamperevident seal (66) to indicate whether the bottle has been opened afterthe cap (63) was initially installed. Preferably the main body (61) ofthe drinking vessel (60) is made of a clear material so that the stateof the tamper evident seal can be viewed prior to removal of thedrinking vessel (60) from the bottle.

A softer and more elastic plastics material, e.g. polypropylene orpolyethylene, can be used for the sealing cap (63) since it includes thetamper evident seal (66). The tamper evident seal (66) must stretch overa mating ring about the neck of a bottle and shrink back toward itsoriginal size so that the seal will stay with the bottle when the cap(63) is removed.

The main body (61) of the drinking vessel (60) is configured to fit atleast partially over the bottle to which it is fitted. Preferably thedrinking vessel (60) is sized such that at least half of the contents ofthe drinks packaging product or bottle can be accommodated in thedrinking vessel (60).

The main body (61) is adapted to receive and to retain the sealing cap(63) within, or adjacent to, a base portion (67) of the main body (61).A protruding lip (71) which can extend part way or all the way about thecircumference of the cap (63), or similar protrusions, can be configuredto mate with a corresponding groove (73) or recesses in the interior ofthe main body (61) to prevent the cap (63) exiting the main body (61)once installed. When the cap (63) is pushed into the inside of the mainbody (61) the lip (71) can engage with the groove (73) to substantiallyprevent the cap (63) exiting the main body (61). The cap (63) can bemade from a plastics material and the elasticity of the material willallow it to compress slightly during installation. Preferably theprotruding lip (71) is provided with a lead-in taper, as shown, tofacilitate installation of the sealing cap (63) into the main body (61).

The cap (63) can also be provided with protrusions or recesses that areconfigured to mate with corresponding recesses or protrusions in theinside diameter of the main body (61) to prevent the cap (63) fromrotating within the main body (61). This is important to enable thedrinking vessel (60) to be removed from a bottle or other drinkspackaging product. In this example the main body (61) is provided with arelatively fine internal spline form (75) which is configured to matewith a corresponding external spline form (77) about the outsidediameter of the cap (63). When the cap (63) and the main body (61) areassembled the engaged spline forms substantially prevent relativerotation between the cap (63) and the main body (61). The use of finespline forms is advantageous in that they are easily engaged when thecap (63) is inserted into the main body (61) without the need forcareful alignment.

The base portion (67) of the drinking vessel (60) can be provided with asuitably configured and sized foot (69) upon which the drinking vessel(60) can stand upright in a stable manner. Preferably the diameter orwidth of the footprint of the foot (69) is similar to the diameter orwidth of the main body (61) of the drinking vessel (60).

The drinking vessel (60) can be a stemmed drinking vessel as shown,however in an alternative embodiment, the drinking vessel (60) can be aflat bottomed tumbler style drinking vessel having a short tubularshaped protruding portion connected to the interior of the base of thedrinking vessel which is adapted to receive the sealing cap (63).

EXAMPLE FOUR

With reference to FIG. 4, a fourth example of a drinking vessel (80) fora drinks packaging product is shown. In this example the drinking vessel(80) is a one piece drinking vessel comprising a main drinking vesselbody (81), and a threaded cap (83) which is situated in the interior ofthe main body (81). The cap (83) includes a frangibly linked tamperevident seal (85).

The cap (83) comprises an internally threaded cylinder (87) whichconnects to a base (89) of the main body (81). The cap (83) formed bycombining the cylinder (87) and a section of the base (89) can be usedas a closure for a drinks packaging product or bottle. The tamperevident seal (85) is connected by a frangible link (86) to the other endof the threaded cylinder (87).

In this example, the drinking vessel (80) is a flat bottomed tumblerstyle of drinking vessel. However, it is envisaged that the drinkingvessel (80) could also be a stemmed style of drinking vessel as shownand described herein in examples one to three and example five. Anadvantage of the flat bottomed tumbler style of drinking vessel is thespace about the cap (83) which can be useful to facilitate the operationof a plastics injection molding tool if required to form the shapes ofthe frangible link (86).

Preferably at least the main body (81) of the drinking vessel (80) ismade of a clear material to allow the state of the tamper evident sealto be inspected prior to removal of the drinking vessel (80) from adrinks packaging product or bottle. Since the drinking vessel (80) is aone piece vessel, and it includes a tamper evident seal (85), it wouldbe preferable to make the vessel (80) from a plastics material havingsufficient memory so that the seal (85) will shrink back to, or near,its original size after it is fitted over a protruding ring on the neckof a bottle. A suitable plastics material would be a polypropylene or apolyethylene plastics material.

Preferably the drinking vessel (80) is adapted to fit at least partiallyover a bottle, and preferably the drinking vessel (80) is sized suchthat at least half of the contents of the drinks packaging product orbottle can be accommodated in the drinking vessel (80).

EXAMPLE FIVE

With reference to FIG. 5, a fifth example of a drinking vessel (100) fora drinks packaging product is shown. In this example the drinking vessel(100) includes a main body (101) and a separate threaded sleeve (103).The threaded sleeve (103) is adapted to mate with the main body (101) insuch a manner that when mated the threaded sleeve (103) is substantiallyprevented from rotating relative to the main body (101) and issubstantially prevented from exiting the main body (101).

Preferably the drinking vessel further includes a sealing member (105)which is adapted to aid in sealing the opening of a drinks container towhich the drinking vessel (100) can be fitted. The sealing member (105)can be a typical laminated seal, for example a laminated plastics andaluminium seal as is used in the drinks packaging industry.

An advantage of this design is that the sealing member (105) can befitted prior to the threaded sleeve (103), making it simpler to installthe sealing member (105) which will typically have an outside diameterthat is greater than the inside diameter of the threads (107) of thethreaded sleeve (103).

Preferably the threaded sleeve (103) further includes a frangibly linkedtamper evident seal (108).

The main body (101) is adapted to receive and to retain the threadedsleeve (103) within, or adjacent to, a base portion (109) of the mainbody (101). A protruding lip (111) which can extend part way or all theway about the circumference of the threaded sleeve (103), or similarprotrusions, can be configured to mate with a corresponding groove (113)or recesses in the interior of the main body (101) to prevent thethreaded sleeve (103) exiting the main body (101) once installed. Whenthe threaded sleeve (103) is pushed into the inside of the main body(101) the lip (111) can engage with the groove (113) to substantiallyprevent the threaded sleeve (103) exiting the main body (101). Thethreaded sleeve (103) can be made from a plastics material and theelasticity of the material will allow it to compress slightly duringinstallation. Preferably the protruding lip (111) is provided with alead-in taper to facilitate installation of the threaded sleeve (103)into the main body (101).

The threaded sleeve (103) can also be provided with protrusions orrecesses that are configured to mate with corresponding recesses orprotrusions in the inside diameter of the main body (101) to prevent thethreaded sleeve (103) from rotating within the main body (101). This isimportant to enable the drinking vessel (100) to be removed from abottle or other drinks packaging product. In this example the main body(101) is provided with a relatively fine internal spline form (115)which is configured to mate with a corresponding external spline form(117) about the outside diameter of the threaded sleeve (103). When thethreaded sleeve (103) and the main body (101) are assembled the engagedspline forms substantially prevent relative rotation between thethreaded sleeve (103) and the main body (101). The use of fine splineforms is advantageous in that they are easily engaged when the threadedsleeve (103) is inserted into the main body (101) without the need forcareful alignment.

Preferably the drinking vessel (100) is adapted to fit at leastpartially over, and to provide a closure for, a bottle.

The main body (101) of the drinking vessel (100) can be made of a clearmaterial and the threaded sleeve (103) can be made of an at leastpartially flexible material. Suitable materials are a clear styreneplastics material for the main body (101) and polypropylene orpolyethylene plastics material for the threaded sleeve (103). A clearmaterial is also advantageous for the main body (101) of the drinkingvessel (100) since it allows the condition of the tamper evident seal(108) to be inspected.

A softer and more elastic plastics material, e.g. polypropylene orpolyethylene, can be used for the threaded sleeve (103) since itincludes the tamper evident seal (108). The tamper evident seal (108)must stretch over a mating ring about the neck of a bottle and shrinkback toward their original size so that the seal (108) will stay withthe bottle when the drinking vessel (100) complete with sleeve (103) isremoved.

Preferably the drinking vessel (100) is sized such that at least half ofthe contents of the drinks packaging product or bottle can beaccommodated in the drinking vessel (I 00). The base portion (107) ofthe drinking vessel (100) can be provided with a suitably configured andsized foot (119) upon which the drinking vessel (100) can stand uprightin a stable manner. Preferably the diameter or width of the footprint ofthe foot (119) is similar to the diameter or width of the main body(101) of the drinking vessel (100).

The drinking vessel (100) can be a stemmed drinking vessel as shown,however in an alternative embodiment, the drinking vessel (100) can be aflat bottomed tumbler style drinking vessel having a short tubularshaped protruding portion connected to the interior of the base of thedrinking vessel which is adapted to receive the threaded sleeve (103).

General

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, a drinks packaging product (130) isshown comprising at least a drinking vessel (10), (30), (60), (80) or(100), as described above, and a drinks container, which in this case isa bottle (131). Preferably the bottle (131) is made of a plasticsmaterial, as it is generally possible to manufacture plastic bottles tohigher dimensional tolerances than glass bottles. In FIG. 7 the drinkspackaging product (130) is shown with the drinking vessel (10), (30),(60), (80) or (100) assembled onto the bottle (131), while in FIG. 6these two items are shown prior to assembly.

A raised ring (132) is provided about the neck (133) of the bottle(131). This ring (132) is adapted to engage with the tamper evident seal(19), (36), (66), (85) or (108) (not shown) of the drinking vessel (10),(30), (60), (80) or (100) when it is fitted onto the bottle (131), andto prevent the tamper evident seal (19), (36), (66), (85) or (108)departing from the bottle (131) when the drinking vessel (10), (30),(60), (80) or (100) is later removed.

In FIGS. 6 and 7 a stemmed drinking vessel shown, however clearly a flatbottomed tumbler style of drinking vessel similar to that described inexample four above can be fitted to the bottle (131) in a similarmanner.

A bottle seal (105) is shown and described with reference to FIG. 5above, however a similar suitable bottle seal (not shown) can also beused with each of the other drinking vessels (10), (30), (60) or (80),the seal being positioned within the cap part of each drinking vessel(10), (30), (60) or (80).

It can be seen from these figures that the drinking vessel (10), (30),(60), (80) or (100) fits over the bottle (131). The upper part (135) ofthe bottle (131) has a smaller diameter than the lower part (137) of thebottle (131). A shoulder (139) separates the two parts of the bottle(131). The rim of the drinking vessel (141) can butt against theshoulder (139) to at least partially seal the interior of the drinkingvessel (10), (30), (60), (80) or (100) during transportation and storageof the assembled drinks package (130).

Preferably the drinking vessel (10), (30), (60), (80) or (100) is sizedsuch that at least half of the contents of the bottle (131) can beaccommodated in the drinking vessel (10), (30), (60), (80) or (100).

The drinking vessel (60) described in example three above allows analternative method of packaging a drink into a drinks package whichincludes a drink container and a drinking vessel, the method includingthe steps of,

-   -   filling the drink container,    -   capping the drink container with a cap that is adapted to        externally engage with a drinking vessel, and    -   fitting a drinking vessel that is adapted to engage with the        cap, onto the cap.

Variations

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of exampleonly and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions maybe made thereto without departing from the scope thereof.

Definitions

Throughout this specification the word “comprise” and variations of thatword, such as “comprises” and “comprising”, are not intended to excludeother additives, components, integers or steps.

Advantages

Thus it can be seen that at least the preferred form of the inventionprovides a drinking vessel which provides manufacturing and assemblyoptions which can allow lower manufacturing and/or assembly costs. Thevarious options described provide a drinking vessel with a relativelysimple construction that can effectively seal a bottle. In addition, thedesigns allow suitable materials to be used in the manufacture of eachpart of the drinking vessel, that is materials that match the differentrequirements of each part of the drinking vessel.

1. A drinking vessel for a drinks packaging product, the drinking vesselhaving at least two parts, a base part and a main vessel part, one orother of the base part or the main vessel part, or both, incorporating asealing ring adapted to seal the joint between the base part and themain vessel part.
 2. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe sealing ring is formed as part of the base part or the main vesselpart, but from a material having different physical characteristics, forexample greater elasticity.
 3. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 1,wherein the sealing ring is formed as part of the base part or the mainvessel part by an overmolding process.
 4. A drinking vessel as claimedin claim 1, wherein the base part and the main vessel part are joined bya mechanical, or interlocking, joint.
 5. A drinking vessel as claimed inclaim 4, wherein the mechanical, or interlocking, joint includes one ormore lugs on either the base part or the main vessel part and acooperating recess or recesses on the other of the two parts.
 6. Adrinking vessel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base part furtherincludes a frangibly linked tamper evident seal.
 7. A drinking vesselfor a drinks packaging product having a main body and a sealing cap,wherein the sealing cap is adapted to mate with the inside of the mainbody in such a manner that when mated the sealing cap is substantiallyprevented from rotating relative to the main body and is substantiallyprevented from exiting the main body.
 8. A drinking vessel as claimed inclaim 7, wherein the main body is adapted to receive the sealing capwithin, or adjacent to, a base portion of the main body.
 9. A drinkingvessel as claimed in claim 7, wherein the sealing cap further includes atamper evident seal.
 10. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 7,wherein the drinking vessel is adapted to fit at least partially over,and to provide a closure for, a bottle.
 11. A drinking vessel for adrinks packaging product comprising a main body and a threaded sleeve,wherein the threaded sleeve is adapted to mate with the main body insuch a manner that when mated the threaded sleeve is substantiallyprevented from rotating relative to the main body and is substantiallyprevented from exiting the main body.
 12. A drinking vessel as claimedin claim 11, wherein the drinking vessel further includes a sealingmember which is adapted to aid in sealing the opening of a drinkscontainer to which the drinking vessel can be fitted.
 13. A drinkingvessel as claimed in claim 11, wherein the threaded sleeve furtherincludes a frangibly linked tamper evident seal.
 14. A drinking vesselas claimed in claim 11, wherein the main body is adapted to receive thethreaded sleeve within, or adjacent to, a base portion of the main body.15. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 11, wherein the drinkingvessel is adapted to fit at least partially over, and to provide aclosure for, a bottle.
 16. A drinks packaging product incorporating atleast one drinking vessel substantially as claimed in claim 1 and adrinks container.